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Lindeen leads with experience

Coming back from a season interrupted by an elbow injury, senior pitcher Scott Lindeen is in his final season of eligibility with ULV. Playing baseball since he was 7, Lindeen used a red shirt year for the previous season. Lindeen has earned a 3-1 record this season. / photo by Gloria Diaz
Coming back from a season interrupted by an elbow injury, senior pitcher Scott Lindeen is in his final season of eligibility with ULV. Playing baseball since he was 7, Lindeen used a red shirt year for the previous season. Lindeen has earned a 3-1 record this season. / photo by Gloria Diaz

Mike Senyo
Staff Writer

Rarely does an athlete overcome an injury and return to his former greatness.

That is not the case for fifth year senior Scott Lindeen, pitcher for the University of La Verne baseball team. When most players would rather give in and not put the time or effort in returning to the game, Lindeen did just the opposite. In his senior year, Lindeen got tendonitis in his elbow and had to red shirt his last year in baseball.

“I got sick right after the Whittier series and lost about 15 pounds in a week,” Lindeen said. ”Being out of shape put an extra strain on my arm and that’s how I got tendonitis.”

Out of high school Lindeen received 30 to 35 letters from many Division III schools.

“I chose La Verne because it was far enough away from home but I could still go home,” Lindeen said. “Bobby Lee was the coach at the time and I liked his style of coaching.”

Lindeen started playing baseball as a child.

“When I was a kid, my dad let me choose whatever I wanted to play,” Lindeen said. “I played soccer and basketball. After soccer I played baseball. I think the game came more naturally to me.

“There is more of a passion for me in baseball. The play starts with me every time and I love being on the mound,” he said.

Lindeen is being scouted by a number of Major League Baseball teams, including the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros.

“When I pitched against Biola I heard the Brewers were there taking a look at me,” Lindeen said.

Lindeen is excited with the thought that he is being scouted, he said. However, Lindeen got ahead of himself because the scouts were there watching. Now he realizes the scouts are watching because of what he can do.

“I pitch for my team, not for myself,” Lindeen said. “I would rather win a national championship then get drafted right now.

“If I had to describe something about Scott, leadership would be the thing I’d talk about first,” Head Coach Scott Winterburn said. “He takes the time to teach the younger guys and take them under his wing and that’s a rare quality. A lot of guys shy away from that. No one works smarter or harder.”

Lindeen credits his family and teammates for his success but most importantly his coach.

“Coach Winterburn is probably one of the most intelligent people I know,” Lindeen said. “Winterburn knows how to deal with athletes on a personal level, not just on an athletic level. He teaches us life lessons, and at the same time those lessons also make us better baseball players.”

Lindeen has been a valuable asset to the Leopards this baseball season posting a three and one record thus far.

This past Saturday he handled the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens, pitching eight innings. While only allowing three hits, Lindeen struck out eight.

“We need him as a pitcher,” said Lucas Berry, center fielder. “If we didn’t have Lindeen on our staff we wouldn’t be where we are at. When Scott’s on the mound he controls the game.”

Mike Senyo can be reached at msenyo@ulv.edu.

Mike Senyo
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